Hostel Hostels, Bruges, & Ghent

Before I completely leave the topic of Bruges, I should mention that I stayed in a hostel.  In Europe, hotels can be very, very expensive and as a single traveller, hostels are a much more affordable option.   In that I am from the US, I have only stayed in one hostel before and it was definitely “an experience to remember.”  Perhaps, all hostel stays will be memorable experiences!   

I arrived in Bruges and it was dark and raining, I took a bus and then walked to my hostel.   At Check in I was issued a plastic key card.  After I had dinner and downloaded the photographs of the day to the laptop, I went to sleep.  Because I was staying in a hostel, I wore my white leopard tank top and my light blue penguin pajama pants (so that my pasty irish legs didn’t scare the other patrons).  In the middle of the night, I got up to use the bathroom and added my black sweater and shoes to my ensemble.   When I returned to my room, the keycard was no longer functional.  A couple of travelers back from the bar also attempted my key and concluded that I was out of luck.  They said they saw the manager in the club downstairs behind the bar and maybe he could help.  So, off I went to the “Club” where there was a crowd gyrating to the techno music and disco lights.  The bartender turned to another guy and said – I think she needs some help!  The night manager, came out from behind the bar and looked me over from head to toes, he said, “Wow, out at the club in your jammies!”  He took me to the office, made me a new key, and back to bed I went, thankful I did not have to sleep in the hallway.  

Before leaving the area and heading back to Paris, I had to make a stop in Ghent.  I have heard wonderful things about Ghent and I know that in St. Bavo's Cathedral is one of the masterpieces of the Northern Renaissance, the Adoration of the Lamb by Hubert & Jan Van Eyck.  I got off of the train and took a local tram into the city. 

 Ghent squareRiver in Ghent

 

The Apse of St. Nicholas from St. Bavo's

St Nicholas interior

I wandered around town and had a bite to eat.  While some people do speak French, more speak Dutch and wow is that difficult!  My typical language "cheat sheet" in hand, I attempted to speak a bit, but it didn't help much in Ghent.  After a great lunch, St. Bavo's was my destination.  The cathedral was beautiful, but I immediately paid the fee to see the Adoration of the Lamb and it included an excellent audio guide.  After spending so much time in museums and at exhibits, I can get tired of audio guides rather quickly but this one held my attention to the end.  This masterpiece is truly worth all of the hype that surrounds it.  I love Northern Renaissance art, which is why I chose to visit Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent, and it was not disappointed in any of the work I was privileged to see.  

Adoration of the Lamb

by Hubert & Jan Van Eyck in St. Bavo's Cathedral

I hopped back on the train and made my way to Brussels, but I was not feeling well and didn't leave the train station as I waited for my train to Paris.  The best thing about living in Paris is that not only do you have the city at your fingertips, but the bulk of Europe if you can read a train schedule. 

Reflections Book & 2 Solo Shows

I have recently finished my Blurb book - for the Photography Book Now Competition, and I have officially entered into the competition!  The cover shot of the book and a lot of the photographs featured are from my show called Reflections at the Gallery on 43rd Street in Lawrenceville.   You can preview the book by clicking the link on the right side of this blog page. 

It has been an incredibly busy and exciting few months since I returned from France at the end of March.  I selected photos for, matted, and framed over 70 photographs for two solo exhibitions.  Mary Coleman and the Gallery on 43rd hosted an opening for my Reflections show on May 20th and it was incredible!   Quite a few of my friends and a nice group of people from all over Pittsburgh and Lawrenceville came to see the show!  I feel incredible blessed to have all of the friends and support that I do - Thank you to all of my friends and family - and especially my Mom - who helped me choose, mat, and frame it all! 

I have been a member of the Hoyt Artist's Association for several years.  A few years ago, I applied for a solo exhibition several years ago and it was scheduled for this June-July.   Friday June 17th was the opening, and now having seen the show I feel very privileged to be included with the other featured artists.  In 2008 I entered the Blurb book competition with my book Enlightened by Stories in Stone:  Enchanted Places and Intriguing Faces.  The images for this show come predominately from this book and my adventures in Strasbourg, France and Europe in 2007-2008. 

William Workman is a renowned photographer whose work for this show is a series of gorgeous medium format black and white images that "explores the fine line between the realism of pure nature photography and abstract concepts."  Skip Allen, currently resides in my hometown of Ligonier.  His work is a gorgeous collection of black and white images from all over the United States.  Jesse Katrencik is photographer from New Castle whose images illustrate the unique beauty of Western Pennsylvania.  Upstairs, on the third floor, and not to be missed are the watercolors of Bryce Herrington.  If you are anywhere near New Castle, please stop by before July 29th and see an amazing group of shows!